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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Cranberry Upside Down Muffins

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I am often done in by my own expectations. That definitely was the case here. I was looking for a recipe I could use to replace a cranberry coffeecake that I've served too often and needed to replace. I wanted a recipe that used cranberries because they provide wonderful color for the red tables of Christmas and Valentine's Day. I chose this one because it was included in Gourmet's collection of 50 Baking Favorites and I expected great things. I'm sorry to report I got ordinary. While the muffins are not difficult to make, they simply are not worth the time needed to prepare them. I've since resumed the search for a cake or muffin to replace the cranberry cake I currently serve. I'll let you know when I find it. In the meantime, here's the recipe for a very ordinary, not too terrible muffin that you may, or may not, want to try.

Directions:1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously butter a standard size 12 muffin tin.2) Combine the cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and nutmeg in a saucepan. Cook mixture over moderately high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, and boil it, covered, for 3 minutes. Simmer mixture, uncovered, stirring, for 3 minutes and let it cool.3) Sift flour, baking powder, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and salt together into a large bowl.4) In another bowl whisk together egg, butter, and milk.5) Add liquid mixture to flour mixture, and stir batter just until combined.6) Divide cranberry mixture among 12 muffin cups and top with batter. Bake in middle of oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden. Cool in pan for 2 minutes and then invert onto a rack. These biscuit-type muffins are best served warm. Yield: 12 muffins.

I think your experience is one reason my Mr. Rosemary hates it when I take a detour from a classic favorite of ours. (Wait till I tell him I'm trying black bean brownies!) But those muffins sure look gorgeous!

thats too bad they didn't turn out as good as you were expecting, they do look lovely though, I so admire your dedication, the title of your blog fits very well, you're not quite satisfied so you will keep testing until you reach perfection, you do all the hard work and then we can enjoy your testing, I enjoy your blog so much,

Yours is the only blog I've read where you post recipes that are not worth making. Though your honesty is refreshing, I have to wonder why you bother posting these "failures." I'd rather see you repeat a past "success" if you need something to make your every day posts - which I admire, by the way.

Frannie, your opinion has been duly noted. I spend time and money on the recipes that appear here and when I come across one that does not work, I think my readers should know about it. You obviously do not share that opinion. Perhaps you would be happier elsewhere. Blessings...Mary

It is always disappointing to put that much work into something and get a ho-hum result, but I really do appreciate you posting it (they ARE so pretty). I have a good cranberry recipe if your are still up for trying new ones: http://coleensrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/09/crustless-cranberry-walnut-pie.html

Oh my stars Mary these look sooo good. I have got to try these. I'm new to your blog and now following. I have a new blog of just a few weeks and am having so much fun finding other foodies and friends. You have a delightful blog here!!!

Haha I love how honest you are about your experiments and that's exactly what helps new cooks/bakers like me. So many times something looks so good when you see it on a blog but it lets you down when you try it. Appreciate your honest notes on this, Mary :)

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